Can My Son Marry Someone on a Student Visa in Quebec?
“My son and his girlfriend want to get married. She is in Quebec on a student visa. How can they go about this?”Asked by Lisa
Consultant's answer
A person in Canada on a study permit can legally marry a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Immigration status does not prevent marriage in Canada, and marrying will not automatically affect her study permit or require her to leave the country.
To marry in Quebec, your son and his girlfriend must follow Quebec's civil marriage requirements. They will need to contact the directeur de l'état civil or a marriage officiant to learn the specific steps, which generally include providing identity documents, proof of civil status, and completing the required paperwork. If either party was previously married, they must provide proof the marriage ended. Quebec has its own marriage laws, so the process differs slightly from other provinces.
Marriage does not automatically grant immigration status in Canada. If your son is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and they wish for his spouse to remain in Canada long-term, he can sponsor her for permanent residence under the spousal sponsorship program after they marry. She can apply for spousal sponsorship from within Canada (inland application) or from outside Canada (outland application). If she applies inland while still holding valid temporary status, she may be eligible for an open work permit while the application is processed.
The girlfriend should maintain valid status throughout this process. If her study permit is expiring, she should apply to extend it or change her status before it expires. Losing legal status can complicate sponsorship applications. They should gather marriage documents, proof of their genuine relationship, and be prepared to demonstrate that the marriage is not primarily for immigration purposes, as IRCC examines all spousal sponsorship applications carefully.